Do the Marines offer Parachutist?

Thomas OReilly — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 11:29:43 -0400

I was looking at some MOS positions and this one really caught my eye. I would love to be the one to jump behind enemy lines! But when I look it up, google says it was only during WW2, and then it was disbanded? So is this still a MOS for Marines?

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2019 11:39 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 11:39:45 -0400

Thomas OReilly This is not a MOS but part of the training for Recon Marines.

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/marine-corps-enlisted-job-descriptions-3345314

https://www.cool.navy.mil/usmc/enlisted/0321.htm

Reconnaissance Marine Parachute and Combat Diver Qualified: MOS 0326

MOS 0326 participates in reconnaissance activities to gain information about the enemy and the terrain.

Response by PVT Mark Zehner made Aug 19 at 2019 11:40 AM

PVT Mark Zehner — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 11:40:39 -0400

If you go recon or raider

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2019 11:41 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 11:41:44 -0400

Marines can earn jump wings. There is no one company of jumpers like Army Airborne. You will find jump wings in a lot of areas, anything is possible, but don't count on going to jump school unless you are in a billet requiring it (Recon, PR, ANGLICO, etc). The few seats available to Marines are taken quickly by those MOS'.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2019 11:56 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 11:56:08 -0400

As an initial entry MOS only riggers offer parachutist without having to pass some type of selection.
You can also try out for Recon or MARSOC but you have to pass their courses first.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Aug 19 at 2019 3:02 PM

SFC Michael Hasbun — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 15:02:06 -0400

Air Delivery Specialists and Force Reconnaissance attend Airborne School, but "Parachutist" is not a USMC MOS.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Aug 19 at 2019 3:45 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Mon, 19 Aug 2019 15:45:58 -0400

You've got some answers from people that know, Thomas OReilly, and I don't think I could offer any better info or guidance. I went to jump school in MAR-APR70, and I was fortunate enough to be in a student company that contained all the sister services, because all the successful students were bound for various special operations units. There were USA SF and Ranger trainees, USN SEAL and UDT trainees, USMC Force Recon trainees and USAF Pararescue trainees. There were a few Army traditional airborne trainees as well.
I'm sure that someone has told you that the Basic Airborne Course at Fort Benning is where all the armed services become airborne qualified initially.
It was fun and interesting to be training with the other services. Good luck!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 21 at 2019 1:05 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 01:05:33 -0400

In 1972 at jump school there were 4 officers and 2 NCO marines that attended, sorry to say the 4 officers and 1 NCO, didn't graduate. But, I asked the NCO why the marines were in jump school, he said because they were going Marine Recon.
I met some Marine Recons in the 70's and they were all parachute qualified to be in that unit. Most likely the marine Recon have to be qualified and dropped behind enemy lines.

Response by MAJ Matthew Arnold made Aug 21 at 2019 10:50 PM

MAJ Matthew Arnold — Wed, 21 Aug 2019 22:50:06 -0400

If you want to be airborne, go army, the army has a whole division (15,000) of airborne infantry. Then there are the airborne: air defense, engineers, field artillery, aviation, military police, etc. Then there are the special forces groups, which are airborne. Then there are the Rangers, which most of them are airborne. (Are you getting the picture?) I'm just guessing, but there must be 1000 airborne positions in the army for every 1 airborne position in the Marine Corps.